Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe–Easy to make with Kids

I looked on the web for an EASY child friendly pancake recipe that did not have a lot of ingredients. The reason being is that I teach a cooking class for kids. I have 1 hour to cook and clean with about 7 children from 2nd to 5th grade. This can be a challenge. I am in a school classroom and not in a “real kitchen.”

My solution to this challenging problem was to use a pancake mix and add the pumpkin to it. I looked up the recipe on Bisquick. I found a recipe that I liked there that would work. I altered it a bit as I was not using the Bisquick mix itself. Here is a link to the recipe that I used.
I did not use oil or add the pumpkin spice seasoning, mainly because of the children I was working with. They were shocked that we were going to add pumpkin to the pancakes.

So here is my recipe in a nutshell.
1 prepared pancake mix–follow instructions on box
1/3 cup canned pumpkin

This added flavor and color without being over powering. (However as an adult, I think the pumpkin spice would have added more excitement to the pancake.)

I broke the children into two teams. I allowed them each to take part in the preparing, cooking, eating, and cleaning processes. The children got to put the ingredients in the bowl and mix it. They got to measure the milk and the pumpkin. One student got to add the egg. They each got a turn stirring the batter.

When it came time to cook, I let them take a 1/4 measuring cup to measure out the right amount for their pancake. I watched and guided them on where to place their batter for their pancake on the electric skillet. (The kids were so excited to do this. They loved it.) Then as it was cooking, we discussed when the pancake was ready. One student pointed out that there were two bubbles on that pancake and that it was ready. I let her know that it is best to have a few more than two bubbles. We discussed how to check to see if your pancake is ready to flip.

Ways to check if your pancake is ready to flip:
1) Watch for the bubbles on the top of your pancake. If you have about 8 to 10 bubbles, your pancake is ready to flip.
2) Take your spatula or flipper and gently lift your pancake. Check to see if the bottom of your pancake is a nice golden brown color. If it is, flip the pancake.

When flipping the pancake, make sure that your flipper or spatula is more than half way underneath your pancake. If it is not, your pancake will not flip well. (We had a few pancakes that did not make it nicely and neatly to the other side.) I helped one student flip her pancake. Everyone else was so excited to do it on their own. All the pancakes were flipped and made it successfully back into the skillet when flipped. Yeah!

While some of the students were waiting to cook their pancakes, I had them wash the measuring cups and bowls. They were excited to help clean up the dishes as well. (I was a bit surprised.)

Eating was another exciting part. The student’s really liked eating their pumpkin pancake when they finished making it. They all seemed to have a great time. So overall, it was a successful class with lots of happy students.

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Stacey Walker has a Homemade Gourmet Home Business. She uses her Homemade Gourmet products regularly for cooking fast and easy to prepare meals. She is currently using Homemade Gourmet in her meal planning and when teaching her children to cook. Visit her website at www.4minutemeals.com

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